The Organization and Role

About Access Now 

Access Now is a growing international human rights organization dedicated to defending and extending the digital rights of users at risk around the world, including issues of privacy, security, freedom of expression, and transparency. Our policy, advocacy, technology, and operations teams have staff presences in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East/North Africa.

About the Helpline

The Access Now Digital Security Helpline is a globally distributed team that provides 24/7 incident response, digital security advice, and implementation support for civil society around the world. It offers real-time, direct technical assistance and advice to civil society groups & activists, media organizations, journalists & bloggers, and human rights defenders.

About this role 

The Digital Safety Specialist - also referred to as a Security Incident Handler - is responsible for providing digital security advice and emergency incident response to civil society groups around the globe as part of Access Now’s 24/7 Digital Security Helpline. Digital Safety Specialists use the Helpline’s own documentation and team expertise to provide technical assistance and digital security advice, and respond to digital emergency incidents targeting the most at-risk.

The Digital Safety Specialist reports through the regional Digital Security Helpline Manager, and through Access Now’s senior Helpline managers as appropriate.

What you will do

Provide amazing technical advice and service to human rights defenders around the world through the following:

• Perform incident rapid response duties via various communications methods such as email, chat, audio and video
• Provide risk assessments and give digital security advice and recommendations, in written and verbal formats   
• Give security and awareness training to clients
• Keep technical knowledge and skills up to date

Skills, education, and mindset you will bring

As a top candidate you will bring:

• Interest in, or prior experience working with women and/or queer communities, civil society, and Human Rights defender organizations
• Experience in customer support under remote settings. Background in Computer Security Incident Response Team or Security Operations Center will be an advantage
• Technical understanding of the internet, and the digital threats faced by victims of human rights abuse and human rights activists and defenders
• Fluency (strong written and verbal communications) in English is essential; applicants who can speak and write in an additional language are at an advantage
• Interest in training and user education
• Strong cultural understanding and experience across the region of focus
• Solid understanding of end-user management of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, etc.
• Technical skills, including troubleshooting & familiarity with Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, MacOS, and Linux-based operating systems will be a plus
• Familiarity with community-led anonymity and circumvention tools, security technologies, risk assessment frameworks will be a plus
• Willingness to travel on occasion (once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted)
• Possess the ability to work on a flexible, shift schedule
• Available for travel globally

We expect candidates to have a level of education that, when combined with your professional experience, will show you have the capability to contribute meaningfully to the Access Now Digital Security Helpline and the users we support. This role is an entry-level position, perfect for an individual who is a quick learner and excited by Access Now’s mission. You should be someone eager to provide amazing advice and service to human rights defenders around the world! You are an individual who is well-organized, has sensitive communication skills, and unshakable integrity and personal ethics.

The Details

Location

This is a full-time position, ideally based in Tunisia with flexibility for remote work locations around the African Region, including Kenya. At this time Access Now team members are working remotely full-time, with a likely return to office arrangements at some point in 2022. The successful candidate must possess the right to work in the location in which they will be based. We are unable to sponsor visas or relocations for this role.

Remuneration

Access Now offers competitive compensation in line with the depth of preparation, skills, and experience - and offers broad benefits packages aligned with our regions and office localities. While not exhaustive, the following are examples of anticipated initial placement within salary ranges, if filled within specific locations:

• Tunis, Tunisia: 5,300 د.ت TND gross monthly
• Nairobi, Kenya: 200,000 KES, gross monthly

Benefits for this role generally include paid healthcare - medical, dental, and vision insurance - among others. While specific compensation, supplementary insurance, and other benefits vary by region, all Access Now Team Members benefit from a strong global culture aligned around:

• Work-life balance...including a generous paid-time-off program between 36 and 40 days annually
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• Extensive workplace flexibility
• Organizational resilience and support for all team members, including paid family leave and mental health/employee assistance programs 
• Connection to a diverse, global team of passionate, principled professionals
• Opportunities to recharge (including one month of paid refresher leave after 4 years)